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naos

[ney-os]
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noun, plural na·oi [ney-oi] /ˈneɪ ɔɪ/.
  1. a temple.
  2. Architecture. cella.
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Origin of naos

First recorded in 1765–75, naos is from the Greek word nāós dwelling of a god, inner part of a temple, shrine
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for naos

Historical Examples

  • Under the frieze of the naos an oval with the prenomen of Rameses II.

    A History of Art in Ancient Egypt, Vol. II (of 2)

    Georges Perrot

  • At other times all these objects were deposited in the naos.

  • They led their visitors through the pronaos and naos to the secos, to the holy of holies.

    The Tour

    Louis Couperus

  • Hence the cella or naos is the central feature of the building.

  • Several steps led to the anteroom, supported by Ionic columns, which adjoined the naos.

British Dictionary definitions for naos

naos

noun plural naoi (ˈneɪɔɪ)
  1. rare an ancient classical temple
  2. architect another name for cella
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Word Origin

C18: from Greek: inner part of temple
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012